FAQs – Welcome to Taylor & Thornburg Physical Therapy (formerly Fyzical Grand Lake) in Oakland, CA

We look forward to working with you. It is helpful to be prepared and know what to expect on your first visit. To make this experience flow as smoothly as possible, we have put together answers to some frequently asked questions.

Where are you located?

We are conveniently located just off highway 580 at 3718 Grand Avenue near the Oakland/Piedmont border in Oakland, CA. Our cross street is Weldon. Our office occupies almost all of the space of what was once a house, now with a front addition and converted into an office building, we suspect sometime in the 1970s.

Clients are seen on 2 separate floors. There is no elevator. There are 17 stairs up from the first floor to the second floor. There is a level entrance into the first floor from the street and a relatively level entrance into the second floor from the parking lot.

Where do I park?

We have spaces for 5 cars in our own lot behind our building. Our driveway is to the right of the building as you look directly at it from Grand Avenue. There is a level (gently downward sloping) entrance into our office on the second floor from the parking lot (blue door).

We prefer to reserve the parking lot behind our building for those who have mobility impairments and are unable to manage stairs. Parking on Grand Avenue is metered, on side streets in the first block away, generally 2 hours, and in other areas, it is free. Please ALWAYS check signage.

What should I wear?

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. If you have a knee or lower leg problem, please wear pants that can easily roll up above your knees or bring shorts. If you have a shoulder problem, please wear a tank top. For low back problems, please wear pants with a stretchy waistband so that we can clearly see your low back region. We do have gowns if needed.

When should I arrive?

Please plan to be here at least 10 minutes before your appointment time. Most intake paperwork is done online. Please take care of this ahead of time if you are able, as this makes the intake process much more efficient for everyone and will ensure that your physical therapist can review your paperwork ahead of your first visit. If you need to fill out forms here, please come 20 minutes ahead of your appointment time.

How long are your appointments?

All appointments are 35-40 minutes long.

What can I expect to happen on my first visit to Taylor & Thornburg Physical Therapy in Oakland, CA?

Your first visit is particularly important because this is where your course of care is planned, and you get to know your physical therapist. An initial visit usually consists of 3 main parts.

• Firstly, your physical therapist will interview you and find out more details about the issues you are seeking physical therapy care for and your goals and concerns.
• Secondly, your physical therapist will perform a physical examination of some kind. This could be any combination of movement, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and palpation (hands-on) testing.
• Thirdly, your physical therapist will discuss your care plan with you and initiate treatment of some kind. This could be any combination of advice, education, exercise or mobility training, hands-on or manual work.

This is a lot to get through in 40 minutes, which is why it is important to us that you arrive on time. Our follow-up appointments are also 35-40 minutes long, which gives us more time to dive into treatment and your care plan.

How much and when do I pay?

Please see the Payment Page for more information.

If you have a copayment, need to meet a deductible, or are a self-pay client, your payment portion is due at your treatment session.

We understand nobody likes a surprise bill. We do our best to be as accurate and transparent as possible in determining and communicating your payment portion. As a courtesy to our clients, we contact your insurance company to determine your benefits for therapy services. 

Please note that a determination of benefits IS NOT a guarantee of payment. We are sometimes provided with incorrect information and can only relay to you what we are informed by your insurance company. We recommend you verify this information for yourself so that you understand your benefits. You are responsible for whatever portion of the bill your insurance company does not cover.